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World Cup: No holds barred as England's tabloids take aim at goalkeeper Robert Green

June 13, 2010 | 9:27
am

England goalkeeper Robert Green knew it was coming. After his glaring error gifted the U.S. the tying goal in Saturday night's 1-1 tie in Rustenburg, South Africa, Green was sure the English tabloids would target him.

He was correct.

"The Hand of Clod," said the Daily Mirror, harking back to Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal against England in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where Argentina defeated England in the quarterfinals.

"Calamity," said the Daily Mail, seamlessly switching the nickname earned by David "Calamity" James, one of England's reserve keepers, to Green.

It wasn't all negative, though.

Less critical but more creative was this effort by the Independent, a broadsheet, not a tabloid: Steven "Gerrard's flying start ruined by America's rub of Green."

"We'll still be Fab," said the Sun, brushing aside disappointment over the tie and giving a nod toward Coach Fabio Capello.

-- Grahame L. Jones, reporting from Irene, South Africa

Photo: England defender John Terry consoles goalkeeper Robert Green after a 1-1 tie with the United States on Saturday. Credit: Dylan Martinez / Reuters